Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 303 Sun. April 03, 2005  
   
Sports


Arsene wants a Roman inquest


Chelsea owner Roamn Abramovich should step in and provide moral leadership at Stamford Bridge, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said on Friday.

Wenger's call came after a week when Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was hit with a two-game Champions League touchline ban. Mourinho has also been fined by the Football Association for accusing Manchester United players of ôcheating' in their League Cup semifinal tie.

And Mourinho and Chelsea have been charged by the Premier League with allegedly 'tapping up' Arsenal full-back Ashley Cole.

Wenger declared: "I think it would be helpful (to hear from Abramovich). He sets the tone at that club. Of course, he is very powerful and they have the advantage of having rules which only they have.

"That's why I think that the way he wants to lead the club is important for English football and the Premier League."

Wenger insisted he didn't want to take anything away from what Chelsea had achieved on the pitch, insisting their players and staff had done a tremendous job.

"They've been very efficient and hungry," he said.

"But every club has its values and I would like to hear a voice at Chelsea come out and say what they really want to be in England and how they want to behave.

"I feel we are missing that voice but it's important for English football as they will be leading club in the coming years.

"I've made mistakes and (Sir Alex) Ferguson has made mistakes as we're all under pressure in the heat of the game.

"But voices come out from our clubs afterwards, showing our values and how we want to behave. I feel that has not come out from Chelsea."

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has previously spoken of his "embarrassment" at the Old Trafford melee last season, with his traditional Old Etonian values often setting the tone for the club.

Abramovich, meanwhile, has given only one major interview -- to the Financial Times -- since buying Chelsea just over 18 months ago and has otherwise remained a somewhat private, reclusive figure.

While that is, in part, understandable due to his concerns over privacy and security, Wenger feels the Russian multi-millionaire has an obligation to the English game.

"We live in a society where it doesn't matter any more as when you win, you're right, but I feel that big clubs are all about values, both on and off the pitch," he added.